Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and copper on antioxidant capacity, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Researchers examined the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and copper on Nile tilapia and found that co-exposure increased copper accumulation in the liver and caused tissue damage in multiple organs. High concentrations of both contaminants together triggered oxidative stress, inflammation, and shifts in intestinal microbial communities. The study suggests that microplastics can worsen the toxic effects of heavy metals on freshwater fish.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxic Effect of Combined Exposure of Microplastics and Copper on Goldfish (Carassius auratus): Insight from Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Hepatopancreas and Intestine

Researchers found that combined exposure to microplastics and copper in goldfish significantly enhanced copper accumulation and tissue damage in the hepatopancreas and intestine, triggering oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy beyond the effects of either pollutant alone.

2022 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and copper effects on the neotropical teleost Prochilodus lineatus: Is there any interaction?

Researchers exposed the neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus to polyethylene microplastics and copper separately and together, finding that microplastics alone caused oxidative stress and genotoxic effects, while combined exposure with copper did not consistently amplify harm compared to either stressor alone.

2020 Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology 99 citations
Article Tier 2

Hepatic transcriptomic and histopathological responses of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, to copper and microplastic exposure

Researchers investigated how PVC microplastics interact with copper exposure in common carp over 14 days. They found that the microplastic particles acted as a vector for copper, increasing its accumulation in the liver and worsening tissue damage beyond what either pollutant caused alone. The study suggests that microplastics can amplify the toxic effects of heavy metals in freshwater fish.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined effects of microplastics and copper on oxidative responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Researchers exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) to microplastics (10 µg/L) and copper (45 µg/L) individually and in combination, finding that fish exposed to both stressors simultaneously exhibited higher oxidative stress across multiple body organs than those exposed to either contaminant alone.

2025 JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY INDIA
Article Tier 2

Single and combined effects of microplastics and cadmium on the cadmium accumulation, antioxidant defence and innate immunity of the discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)

Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics interact with cadmium toxicity in discus fish and found that the presence of microplastics actually reduced cadmium accumulation in the fish's body. However, the microplastics independently caused oxidative stress and altered immune responses. The study reveals that the combined effects of microplastics and heavy metals on aquatic organisms are complex and do not simply add together.

2018 Environmental Pollution 414 citations
Article Tier 2

Combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and natural organic matter on the accumulation and toxicity of copper in zebrafish

Researchers investigated the combined effects of polystyrene microplastics and natural organic matter on copper accumulation and toxicity in zebrafish. They found that microplastics increased copper accumulation in the liver and gut, and that natural organic matter further amplified this effect in a size-dependent manner. The study suggests that microplastics in natural waters can interact with dissolved organic matter and metals to create more harmful exposure conditions for aquatic organisms.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 330 citations
Article Tier 2

The Combined Effect of Copper Nanoparticles and Microplastics on Transcripts Involved in Oxidative Stress Pathway in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Hepatocytes

Primary rainbow trout hepatocytes were exposed to copper nanoparticles, microplastics, and their combination for 48 hours, finding that both dissolved copper and copper nanoparticles upregulated antioxidant enzyme transcripts while microplastics alone had minimal effect. Co-exposure to nanoparticles and microplastics did not significantly alter the oxidative stress response beyond nanoparticle effects alone.

2023 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) harness copper presence and promote impairments in early zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae: Developmental, biochemical, transcriptomic approaches and nontargeted metabolomics approaches

This zebrafish study found that polystyrene microplastics combined with copper produced worse toxic effects than either pollutant alone, causing developmental problems, oxidative stress, immune disruption, and nerve damage in larvae. The combination also disrupted the fish's metabolism in ways that neither pollutant caused independently. This is concerning because microplastics readily absorb heavy metals like copper in the environment, meaning organisms are often exposed to both together.

2025 Environmental Research 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of microplastics and lead exposure on gut oxidative stress and intestinal inflammation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

Researchers exposed common carp to lead and microplastics both separately and together and found a surprising result: the combination was less harmful to the gut than lead alone. The microplastics appeared to reduce lead accumulation in the intestine and altered gut bacteria in ways that dampened the inflammatory response. The study highlights the importance of studying pollutants in combination, as their interactions can produce unexpected outcomes.

2023 Environmental Pollution 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Single and combined acute and subchronic toxic effects of microplastics and copper in zebrafish (Danio rerio) early life stages

Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos and larvae to microplastics, copper, and their combinations to assess individual and combined toxic effects. They found that microplastics alone caused limited harm, but when combined with copper, the mixture produced altered biochemical responses and changes in gene expression. The study suggests that microplastics can modify the toxicity of heavy metals in aquatic organisms during early development.

2021 Chemosphere 96 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics have additive effects on cadmium accumulation and toxicity in Rice flower carp (Procypris merus)

When a Chinese freshwater fish species was exposed to both microplastics and cadmium together, the microplastics increased cadmium buildup in the liver and gills and worsened tissue damage compared to either pollutant alone. The combined exposure caused greater oxidative stress and disrupted immune and metabolic pathways. This is important because microplastics and heavy metals often coexist in polluted waterways, and their combined effect on fish could affect the safety of freshwater fish that people eat.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 10 citations
Article Tier 2

“Copper-loaded microplastics unleash endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven liver apoptosis in fish Channa punctatus”

Researchers found that PVC microplastics loaded with copper caused severe liver damage in fish through a process called endoplasmic reticulum stress, which triggers cell death. The combined exposure to microplastics and copper was more harmful than either pollutant alone. This study demonstrates how microplastics can act as carriers for toxic metals, amplifying their harmful effects on organ health.

2024 Emerging contaminants 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Antidote or Trojan horse for submerged macrophytes: Role of microplastics in copper toxicity in aquatic environments

Researchers investigated whether polyethylene microplastics act as an antidote or a Trojan horse for copper toxicity to submerged aquatic plants. The study found that microplastics reduced dissolved copper concentrations through adsorption but could then release copper-loaded particles that were taken up by plants. The results suggest that microplastics may initially reduce copper toxicity in water but ultimately serve as carriers that deliver copper directly into plant tissues.

2022 Water Research 53 citations
Article Tier 2

The impact of combined exposure to triphenyltin and microplastics on the oxidative stress, energy metabolism, and digestive function of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Exposing common carp to triphenyltin and microplastics individually and in combination found that combined exposure caused greater oxidative stress, disrupted energy metabolism more severely, and more strongly impaired digestive enzyme activity than either pollutant alone.

2025 Frontiers in Environmental Science
Article Tier 2

Combined toxicity of polyvinyl chloride microplastics and copper to marine jacopever (Sebastes schlegelii)

Researchers studied the combined effects of PVC microplastics and copper on a marine fish species and found that the two pollutants together caused significantly more harm than either one alone. The microplastics accelerated copper buildup in the fish's liver, leading to greater oxidative damage and growth problems. This is relevant to human health because fish that accumulate both microplastics and heavy metals may pass those contaminants to people through the food chain.

2024 Marine Environmental Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Toxicity of microplastics and copper, alone or combined, in blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) larvae

Researchers examined the toxicity of microplastics and copper, alone and combined, on blackspot seabream larvae, finding that microplastic-copper mixtures can alter biochemical biomarkers and gene expression related to oxidative stress and immune response in developing fish.

2022 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Pre-Exposure of Common Carp to Ambient Copper and Microplastic Changes the Gill Ionoregulaion-Related Transcripts During Saltwater Exposure

Common carp were pre-exposed to copper alone or with polyvinyl chloride microplastics for 14 days, then challenged with brackish water to test how microplastic co-exposure alters gill physiology and metal accumulation. Combined exposure changed gill copper concentrations and altered physiological responses to salinity stress, suggesting microplastics modify how fish handle heavy metal toxicity.

2025 Aquatic Science and Fish Resources (ASFR) /Aquatic Science and Fish Resources (ASFR)
Article Tier 2

Combined exposure to microplastics and copper elicited size-dependent uptake and toxicity responses in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkia)

Scientists exposed red swamp crayfish to microplastics of two sizes combined with copper, finding that smaller microplastics increased copper accumulation in tissues and caused more organ damage. The combined exposure reduced antioxidant defenses and disrupted genes that help regulate copper in the body. Since crayfish is widely consumed, this study raises concerns that microplastics in waterways could increase the amount of toxic metals that accumulate in popular seafood.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 7 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Effects of microplastics on the toxicity of co-existing pollutants to fish: A meta-analysis

Meta-analysis of 1,380 biological endpoints from 55 studies found that microplastics in co-existing pollutant solutions significantly increased toxicity to fish beyond what the pollutants caused alone, particularly elevating immune system damage, metabolic disruption, and oxidative stress. The effect depended on fish life stage and microplastic size, but not on pollutant or polymer type.

2023 Water Research 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Histopathological damage and stress‐ and immune‐related genes' expression in the intestine of common carp, Cyprinus carpio exposed to copper and polyvinyl chloride microparticle

Researchers examined the combined effects of copper and PVC microplastics on common carp intestines, finding that co-exposure caused greater histopathological damage and altered stress- and immune-related gene expression compared to either contaminant alone.

2021 Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A Ecological and Integrative Physiology 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Copper and Microplastic Exposure Affects the Gill Gene Expression of Common Carp During Saltwater Challenge

This study examined how combined copper and microplastic exposure affects gill gene expression in common carp, finding synergistic stress responses including upregulation of genes involved in oxidative stress defense and immune function.

2024 Science Journal of University of Zakho 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Copper Affect Zebrafish Behavior and Responses to Predation Threat

Zebrafish were exposed to two size classes of aged polyethylene microplastics with and without copper (10 µg/L) to assess effects on behaviour and predator response. Microplastics and copper together impaired anti-predator behaviour more than either pollutant alone, suggesting synergistic impacts on fish survival in contaminated environments.

2025 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Article Tier 2

Long-term effects of individual and combined exposure to microplastics and copper in zebrafish hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis – A multi-biomarker evaluation

This study exposed zebrafish to microplastics, copper, and both combined for 30 days and examined effects on their reproductive system. The combination of microplastics and copper caused greater hormonal disruption and oxidative stress than either pollutant alone, affecting genes that control reproduction in both male and female fish. These findings suggest that microplastics interacting with metal pollution in waterways could compound reproductive harm in aquatic organisms and potentially in humans who consume contaminated fish.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 6 citations